Dr. Howell’s Reflections
Everyday, Dr. Howell writes a reflection, inquiry prompt, and a prayer.
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Your Impact Part 7
April 24, 2025
Sometimes, things do not have to be loud, mammoth, or forceful to be impactful. The most impactful people or experiences can be subtle, soft, numinous. Instead of shouting at us, they whisper us into transformation.
Your Impact Part 6
April 23, 2025
In spiritual direction programs and other theological and spiritual schools, students are often asked to write their spiritual biographies. The writer’s life story is interpreted in light of their spiritual life, growth, regressions, and milestones. On paper, this exercise helps us see and understand the evolution of our spiritual understandings, realizations, theologies, and transformations.
Your Impact Part 5
April 22, 2025
Regardless of what impacts us, we have an anchor that keeps us steady. As we know, the anchor is a relatively small thing, but it makes all the difference in a storm. Likewise, a spiritual anchor makes all the difference in a difficult conversation, confusion, conflict, or in any situation that throws us off base.
Your Impact Part 4
April 21, 2025
The word "impact" can be a noun or verb. It refers to a substantial effect on something. It can be a strong collision or a forceful impression that any entity has on another entity. It is derived from the Latin word "impactus” meaning "pushed against."
Your Impact Part 3
April 17, 2025
Will any of us be remembered in the long run? We may be, by our friends and family. And if we do something spectacular, our name will be remembered longer. But for most of us, our impact on the world may not be remembered after a couple of generations unless we impact the world in some large way. We could also be remembered by transmitting our qualities to the people we touched while we were here. Therefore, our values and deeds may be carried on, but no one would know us as a living breathing person.
Your Impact Part 2
April 16, 2025
Why is it even a need to have an impact on others? Isn’t it such a need born of an unhealthy ego? Why not live without impacting anyone else? Our impact on others may be strong and an unhealthy ego can impact others negatively. Yet, regardless of how peaceful, minimized, or withdrawn we may be, we all impact others to some degree. We all relate to other people on many levels, and the ripple effect of our thoughts and actions reaches far beyond the point of initial contact.
Your Impact Part 1
April 15, 2025
Do you wonder what impact you make? Do you ever think that you make no impact or difference at all? Or do you think you make a significant impact on others? When I ask this question of my patients and friends, most usually say, “My greatest impact is on my children and family members.” This response is understandable, yet I wonder if we really give the question enough thought.